Page 45 - May1954

IIar',1954 NATIONAL BUTTON BULLETIN 235

IIL-TT()NS T'ROII H()LLAND FOR B G & Fj (Continued)
The impact of these historl--booli costumes is heighterred b.u- the
fact that thcsc clothes are the actr,ral everyday attire natile to this remote
little town. l-nlilic the pc'opie of Volendam, Ilolland, u.ho u'r:ar aucient
garb to attrzrct tourists ( much in the same manner of Arnerica 's
\\rilliamsburg), the Spahenburgers have actuall;' clung to tire past in
their mocle of living. llven their houses are buiit iir the ancestral
manDel.
Origiiralll- a fisliing vilJag'e, Spalienburg turnecl to the making of
buttons several generations ago; and its people have dcvelol-rcd the
manufacture of galalitirs to a fine art.
The.se rlualitl'buttors arc a naturai by-product of tr claily colrntry'
such as Ilollancl since thel. are matle of sour milli ancl sanrl. Their
fonnulas hale lieen perfected to produce an incompalable lurninositl'
and subtletl- of color. Spakenburg's inhabitants, essentiall;- a simple
people, pref er simple clesigns that point up the fuli lteauty of this
lustrous material.

NOTES ON NEW GLASS BUTTONS AND TRADE MARKS
We are going to try to keep you posted on what is available in
collectible modern buttons in all materials. The glass buttons, of course
are the most spectacular. In a later issue we will picture for you sorne of
these buttons, with metal shanks, made in France.
For the transparent large lacy gtass buttons with sih'er or gold trim
(rrurnerous patterns), and black lacy in all Iuster finishes-look for the
B.G.E. "Originals." XIan)' examples bear the impressed "B.G.E./ORIG"
backmark.
Other outstanding items by this Firm are the black glass buttons (ts'o
sizes) with circular metallic foil inlays in five colors. These are precision
made items, for the die used must mold first a center, and then the body,
and each part must fit exactly when cemented together.
All of these items (made in the U. S. Zone, Germany) are elegant
specimens of new glass to add to your collection. The Firm, of course,
is Bailey, Green & Elger of New York City. The buttons are to be found
in department stores throughout the country; some of our dealers also have
them in stock.
B. Blumenth:r1 & Company market their buttons under the trade names
"La Mode" and "Le Chic" and their present day stock contains many
collectors' items. In our advertisement section you will notice a number of
spring patterns listed. (Note ihe set of zodiacs is pictured January, 1954,
p.49, top). Some of the examples have the trade rnark impressed.
Buttons by these trade names are found in department and dime
stores throughout the country; some of our dealers have such for sale also.
In March we pictured glass buttons from Bailey, Green & Elger and
B. Schwanda & Sons. Some of you wrote how surprised you were to learn
Schwanda sold other naterials than pearl. It is true they have an outstand-
ing line of pearl buttons which they manufacture, and they make wood
buttons also from various combinations of woods and in a variety of